Santa Clara: Motorcyclist killed in Highway 101 crash is identified

SANTA CLARA -- A 23-year-old San Jose man who died early Tuesday when his motorcycle hit the back of a tractor-trailer on Highway 101 has been identified as Antonio Ortega Aguirre, according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office.

Aguirre was riding a Honda CBR northbound past Great America Parkway around 2:40 a.m. that morning when he tried to pass a big rig traveling in the far-right lane. He hit the back of the trailer, causing his motorcycle to flip and throw him onto the roadway, according to the California Highway Patrol. He was then hit by other vehicles.

All the motorists involved in the incident stopped and cooperated with investigators, who continue to investigate the crash. Speed is believed to have been a factor, but otherwise additional details have not been released by the CHP.